Mac Mini audio very glitchy to homepod since upgrading to 27.0.1

Mac Mini audio very glitchy to homepod since upgrading to 27.

This may have begun when I updated to highest ver of 26, I intended to stay in that OS for a while but had to get new phone which made everything need 27. But this was occurring during the brief (1wk) time before I jumped to 27.0.1.

My audio setup is to play my itunes library from Mac mini, line out (thru a CalDigit breakout box) to my home stereo - line in. But for kitchen, (since I dont have speaker lines run there) I use a HomePod. Its always been a little glitchy, occasionally dropping out & easily restored, but now it happens all the time.

I have to keep unchecking & rechecking the boxes for Mac mini and HomePod in the music app audio. Both checked, I start playing music and within a minute, HomePod drops out. At that moment, level out to stereo drops by about 1/3, tho volume slider in music app doesnt move. HomePod is unchecked. I recheck it and it works for another 15 sec (with level to stereo restored) before quitting again.

I have updated Home app, unplugged & replugged in HomePod AC, restarted Music app, restarted whole computer, nothing changes. This was problematic in earlier OS, but in 27 it is now constant.

Any help is much appreciated, if there any Qs I can answer LMK

Thanks,

Duane